Rachel's Random Reads: Guest Post - Escapist settings by T.A. Williams

I was going to write this about my new book, To Provence, with Love (and I will, a bit lower down, I promise), but first, I would just like to say a big thank you to Rachel and to all the other bloggers out there who read their way through millions of words every year and then write tens, if not hundreds of thousands of words in support of authors like me. And you all do it for the pure love of reading. I am ashamed to admit that I read very little. My excuse is that I spend all my time writing – and, in fairness, I do write a lot. But those of you whose appetite for the written word spurs you on to read and review book after book deserve a vote of thanks from all of us. So, thank you.

Having got that off my chest, let me tell you about my new book. Somebody on Facebook the other day pointed out a constant theme in my work: she remarked that I always write about nice places. And it’s true. So far I’ve written about Tuscany, Cornwall, rural Spain, Dartmoor, the high Alps, Venice and loads more. So why don’t I write about scruffier places, I hear you ask. The answer is twofold. First of all it’s selfish: I always research the settings for my books and I like going to nice places. So, on that basis, it’s very unlikely that I’m going to be writing a book set in a recycling centre any time soon. Not impossible, but unlikely. Second, it’s because I want my books to offer a bit of escapism. I want people to be able to lose themselves in descriptions of wonderful, romantic places, the food, the drink, the architecture, the people. If you don’t get to the end of the book wishing you, too, could have been there, then I haven’t been doing my job properly.

So, this book is To Provence, with Love. I studied French at university a long, long time ago and I love going back there. I have a very good friend who lives just an hour or so inland from the Riviera coast and it was while visiting him and his wife a couple of years ago that I realised that would make a terrific setting. Once you get away from the hustle and bustle and the unbelievable traffic(!) of the coast, it’s an area with a slower pace of life. Yes, there are loads of foreigners living there, but the French flavour remains. It’s a part of the world blessed by a mild climate, some spectacular scenery and some of the best food and drink anywhere in the world. For a visitor (not just an author on a research trip), it’s gorgeous. Fly to Nice, rent a little car and an hour or so later you’re among the vines, the umbrella pines and the lavender fields.

As for the story of To Provence, with Love, it’s a nostalgic look back over her life by a grand old lady of 83, assisted by her Labrador, Marlon. Along with this comes the gradual realisation by Faye, the main character, that there’s more to life than her job in London.

I hope you enjoy the book.

Thank you so much Trevor that that wonderful look of your locations. I love all of your settings and having read To Provence With Love, I can safely say I really enjoyed Provence too. And thank you so much for your kind words about book bloggers.

Purchase from Amazon UK

Escape to the south of France with this perfect feel-good summer romance!

Anything is possible…

Struggling writer Faye Carter just can’t believe her luck. She’s off to Provence to write the autobiography of a famous film star and she’ll be staying in the stunning chateau!

So when she meets charming (and completely gorgeous) lavender farmer, Gavin, she knows that she’s made the right choice – even if glamourous, elderly Anabelle seems to be hiding something…

But when the sun is shining, the food is delicious and the air smells of honey, anything seems possible. Will the magic of Provence help Faye finally find a happy-ever-after of her own?

Author Information

I write under the androgynous name T A Williams because 65% of books are read by women. In my first book, "Dirty Minds" one of the (female) characters suggests the imbalance is due to the fact that men spend too much time getting drunk and watching football. I couldn't possibly comment. Ask my wife...

I've written all sorts: thrillers, historical novels, short stories and now I'm enjoying myself hugely writing humour and romance. Romantic comedies are what we all need from time to time. Life isn’t always very fair. It isn’t always a lot of fun, but when it is, we need to embrace it. If my books can put a smile on your face and maybe give your heartstrings a tug, then I know I’ve done my job.

I‘ve lived all over Europe, but now I live in a little village in sleepy Devon, tucked away in south west England. I love the place. That’s why you’ll find leafy lanes and thatched cottages in most of my books. Oh, yes, and a black Labrador.

I've been writing since I was 14 and that is half a century ago. However, underneath this bald, wrinkly exterior, there beats the heart of a youngster. My wife is convinced I will never grow up. I hope she's right.

Website: http://www.tawilliamsbooks.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TAWilliamsbooks

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TrevorWilliamsBooks